ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 20: Wide receiver Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants dives for a touchdown against Gerald Sensabaugh #43 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) less

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 20: Wide receiver Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants dives for a touchdown against Gerald Sensabaugh #43 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 20, 2009 in ... more

Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

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The Raider's Nnamdi Asomugha chats with a coach at the Oakland Raiders training camp in Napa, Calif. on Friday, July 31, 2009.
Photo by Kat Wade / Special to the Chronicle

The Raider's Nnamdi Asomugha chats with a coach at the Oakland Raiders training camp in Napa, Calif. on Friday, July 31, 2009.
Photo by Kat Wade / Special to the Chronicle

The Concord native more than landed on his feet after the Raiders cut him in training camp two years ago. He signed with the Giants, won a Super Bowl and has become a fixture in the defensive line rotation.

Tollefson plays defensive tackle on passing downs and defensive end in run situations - all while making plays on special teams.

"Dave is a special individual," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. "He's one of those lunch pail guys, just comes to work every day. We're very, very blessed Oakland let him go and we were able to pick him up."

Big bird: The Giants offense features Brandon Jacobs, a 264-pound lineman disguised as a running back.

Big as Jacobs may be, Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly has an idea of how to bring him down.

"He's human, so if you hit him around his beak a couple of times, he'll slow down," Kelly said.

Briefly: Giants quarterback Eli Manning (heel) will be a game-day decision, according to Giants coach Tom Coughlin. If Manning can't play, New York will start David Carr - the former No. 1 overall draft pick who beat the Raiders with minus-5 net passing yards as a Texan in 2006. ... Tight end Zach Miller (concussion) is cleared to play. ... Fullback Oren O'Neal (ankle) is out. ... Free safety Hiram Eugene is back from a leg injury and will start ahead of Michael Huff, who is questionable with a quad bruise.